Here we are again, checking up on our favorite heroine! This chapter will express the first signs of the fore coming battle. Please enjoy and leave a Review to let me know what parts you take to most. They'll also give me motivation to update more quickly!

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Alice in Wonderland. Lewis Carroll, Disney, and Tim Burton do.

Inspirational Song: "Come Away to the Water" – Maroon 5

. . . . .

It was evening and the sky was blue. Normally, Alice was a fan of blue. It seemed to represent all the things Alice held love for. The morning sky, the color of the sea, the flowers in her mother's garden, and the color of her entire wardrobe, of course.

Alice did not like this shade of blue.

She stood on one of Marmoreal's balconies with a party of four: Her Majesty, on Alice's right, Sir Lawrence, near the Queen, as always, and McTwisp standing behind them. Absolem sat in the palm of Alice's hand. Normally he would be hovering around them all in the air, but what with the unusually precarious winds, they both felt better this way. He'd only just returned to health; no one wished for him to be thrown out onto harsh winds over the railing.

Alice felt her hair whip up around her face and shivered. The sky was angry, as Lord Ascot would've been caught grumbling. It was only evening, but the sky was already dark. Ominous clouds hung low and heavy in the sky, the horizon broken only by the occasional creature soaring in a hurry to reach home.

Alice hung her head and sighed. "There's only so much air to breathe in right now," she muttered.

"I know what you mean," Sir Lawrence said. Alice was surprised he'd heard her. The whistling winds were so deafening. "This tension is tangible. I fear it's that of a rubber band. It's being pulled on with such strength…" he trailed off.

"That you feel worried for the time when it's let go?" Mirana finished.

All their eyes had been locked on the storm, but at this, Sir Lawrence looked at the Queen. "No, Your Majesty, not worried. Unprepared. Are we all standing here to simply wait out the storm? Or are we just cowering in our castle?"

"I agree!" McTwisp piped up. Four pairs of eyes turned to meet his in surprise. The White Rabbit generally tended to stay out of the plotting of battle plans. He squirmed on the spot and began to stutter. "Just with-you know, the matter of being unprepared. I feel- I feel that we can do better, is all." His nose twitched.

Mirana nodded thoughtfully for a moment. "Yes, you are right, Sir Lawrence. And you, as well, McTwisp. Thank you for your input." She smiled warmly at him, visibly melting his anxiety away. "And yet the matter is-"

Here the wind grew so strong that the Queen's voice became muffled. Alice quickly covered Absolem with her free hand and brought him up to her face. She peeked at him through her fingers. "Alright in there?" Alice heard a grumbled reply and smiled. He was fine. Dignity damaged, perhaps, but physically alright.

When the winds relaxed, Alice removed Absolem's shield, but still held onto him tightly. Mirana continued. "The matter, I was saying, is that we still do not know Stayne's plan or even of his location."

"Ah, but dear Mirana, we can easily find the Knave," Absolem said. "I'm sure the Cheshire Cat would be happy to oblige."

By the look on the Queen's face, Alice was sure that she hadn't heard the butterfly through the wind. She spoke up. "Absolem says that we can easily find the Knave with Chessur's help."

Mirana still seemed hesitant. "Is there need to act further? The Hatter and yourself did foil his plans of bringing back Hamish, after all."

Absolem harrumphed in her hand. "It always sounds more coaxing in my voice, stupid girl. . ."

She leaned down to whisper to him, "Well, I don't have your voice, now do I? Speak up next time, perhaps."

"Alice?"

She stood straight again and turned back to McTwisp. "Sorry?"

"You're fine, Alice." He glanced at his pocket watch. "I was just wondering. Do you know where Tarrant is?"

Alice blinked. "No, he just ran off. I didn't think to ask questions."

Sir Lawrence rolled his eyes. "Wonderful. Because the last time that happened, everything ended up so well."

Alice would normally refute a remark like this from Sir Lawrence, but just this once, she had to admit that he was right. Her shoulders fell. She wondered what Hatter was up to and where he was. She had to assume that he was safe and simply off in the castle somewhere. Because if she didn't, she would cause herself too much distress and worry. It couldn't be worth it.

"Your Highness, Wonderland is sending us a warning with this storm. You can read Her better than no other than the butterfly that lay in Alice's hand," Sir Lawrence explained. "And even he has said that it is time to prepare." He placed one hand on the railing, turning his body and attention completely to Mirana.

Alice felt a prick on her finger. "Ouch!" She brought Absolem up to her frustrated eyes. "Yes?"

A sudden streak of lightning shone on the blue butterfly's monocle. "Lift me to the Queen's ear." With the obedience of a schoolgirl, Alice extended her arm to Mirana's ear. At first, she looked confusedly at Alice, but then heard the butterfly's words and closed her eyes, beginning to nod.

"Yes, yes, I suppose you are all correct." Alice relaxed her arm. "I am simply hesitant to engage in battle again, and so soon. Time has certainly changed in Wonderland. I both fear and hope that this time period will be Wonderland's worst." Her dark eyes locked with Alice's. "I am so glad you are with us, Champion. We would never achieve so much without you, you know," she added kindly.

Alice shifted her feet awkwardly. "I sometimes wonder if this all happened because I arrived, Your Majesty." Had nothing been wrong before she first fell down that blasted hole?

To her surprise, it was Sir Lawrence who answered. "Nonsense, Alice. You've only made matters easier. The Orraculum may change depending on fate, but the events themselves will never waver. The Jabberwocky still would have stood on that field, but instead of battling the Champion, would have plowed over our troops." He shrugged at her, as if they were merely discussing wines, and not the matter of Alice's existence in Wonderland.

"And we'll be needing your help again, Alice," McTwisp tittered.

Alice smiled softly. "I must wonder when you'll all stop asking me to help. It is my job, after all."

Mirana smiled crookedly. "Right it is. One more question, though, my apologies. Would you be comfortable fighting this time around? It won't be a duel, like other times."

"It will be more vicious and brutal than that," Sir Lawrence put in. "Stayne's army is untrained, ruthless, and angry. This will be a war, no Champion's fight. Are you strong enough for that?"

Alice held her head high. "On the contrary," she said, "I prefer this. I want this."

Lightning struck again nearer to the balcony. McTwisp jumped. Mirana's brow furrowed at Alice. "Pardon?"

Alice stopped herself from closing a fist around Absolem and nodded confidently. "I want Ilosovic Stayne gone for good, Your Majesty. The Knave has now played a tyrant for two worlds, each my own. He cannot gain any more leverage on us. I've become skilled in sword fighting. I can easily hold my own. I'm not just ready for this. I'm eager, Your Highness."

For a moment, the three of them were startled at her bloodlust. Alice peeked down at Absolem, a bit anxious. She found she couldn't quite read his expression. There was pride there, in his eyes, but an uncertainty in the line of his mouth. She glanced up again to find Sir Lawrence nodding with an arrogant grin strung across his face. She found she didn't like that. It was further proof that Alice had changed.

McTwisp tilted his head curiously at Alice, as if trying to place her in a different light. Mirana, too, was analyzing her, before smiling once again. "Yes, Alice," she said. "I see that you are ready. It is no doubt that you can easily hold your own."

. . . . .

xX-HATTER'S POV-Xx

Hatter finally reached the location of the windmill and turned. He stood with his back against the side of Thackery's abode, scanning the site of the Mad Tea Party out of the corner of his eyes.

The March Hare was sitting upright in his usual spot, his paws wrapped around some silverware and making them dance on his plate. He was facing the opposite direction. Hatter couldn't spot Mally and assumed that she was sleeping soundly in her pot. Good luck, that was. He didn't know how he could do this if Mally had been up and alert. She was better at sneaking than him, that much had been proved to be clear with Time.

He licked his lips once and strode slowly away from the house. With long strides, he extended his arm to grasp underneath the edge of the table on his side of the table. His chair had been scooted away from the edge, right where he had previously left it.

Right after he'd left the study with Alice, the room he could never enter again without thinking of what had occurred there, he decided it was Time. He'd left the castle immediately, not even notifying the Guards. His mind was too far off.

Hatter's marred fingers finally captured the small object he'd sewn into the belly of the tablecloth. His eyes widened at its touch. He grinned. "Well, there you are-"

"WHATDYA DOIN', LADDIE?"

Hatter's hands fumbled as they dropped the item. He cursed under his breath and glanced up to narrow his eyes at the March Hare. He was standing on his chair with a fork aimed at Hatter. One ear stood straight as the other flopped over one eye. Hatter quickly picked up his belonging and shoved it in his pants' pocket.

"Well, Thack, I thought it prudent-"

Another explosion erupted. "AY, 'ATTER!" Mallymkun leaped out of her teapot, pin also angled towards Hatter. Really now, he thought. You'd think I were a tove of some sort.

She ran down the length of the table at him, skirts twisting about her ankles. "Oi! You little, frumious, wretched, gallymoggers, guddler's scut! I'll grimble you!" She jumped at him, slicing the air with her pin.

Hatter caught her easily. "Mally, language, please," he said plainly. He felt a sharp prick. "Ow!" He dropped the Dormouse hastily and placed his bleeding finger in his mouth. "Mallymkun, dear, please."

"You 'ave been gone for days," she hissed at him. "We 'ave been 'ere, alone, uninformed, for days," she said slowly. "Slurvish brute, off with the blonde…" She turned away from him and jabbed her pin into a pastry, storing it there.

"I wasn't with Alice," Hatter immediately replied. Mallymkun lifted a brow at him. Then he tilted his head to the side, as animals often do when confused. "Wait, no, I was with Alice, yes." He hurried on as Mally shook her head at him. "But, what I mean to say is, I wasn't gone for days to be with Alice." He nodded. "Yes, that's right. I was actually there on orders. We went on an adventure to the Otherworld. The Aboveland."

Both Thackery and Mallymkun's jaws dropped. "That's worse!" Thack blurted, throwing down his spoon.

Hatter winced at the clatter it caused. "Erm, well, it was very important, you see. We had to leave immediately. There was no Time-"

"-for us?" Mallymkun interrupted.

And there was the most awkward and uncomfortable silence Hatter had ever taken part in.

Hatter sighed and removed his hat from his head, scratching at his scalp. "I believe…" he sighed paternally, "We need a family discussion. Gather round, sit down, sit, sit…" He settled himself down in his chair at the head of the table. Mallymkun hesitantly perched herself on the edge of a small plate, eyeing Hatter suspiciously. The March Hare simply plopped himself down where he had been standing. Hatter took a deep breath.

"I think you should know that some things are about to change," he said softly.

Immediately, Thackery raised his hand. "What sorts of things?" he yelped.

"Well, there will be good and bad ones, Thack. We'll get through them all, as we always have. I must admit- I have, it is true, been a tad aloof lately-"

"Aloof?" Mally cut him off. "In order to be aloof, you 'ave to be present! And 'ere you-"

Hatter held up a hand. "Mally, please." The Dormouse sat back down, harrumphing. "I have been rather remote, but I plan to change that and fill you both in on everything I know, if you will have me." Here, Hatter bowed his head in respect and placed his hand upon his heart.

There was a terse moment as Mally and Thackery huddled together and hissed whisperings at one another, each peeking side-long glances at the Hatter, who sat quietly and politely at the end of the table to wait. When Mallymkun scurried back, she smiled. "Tarrant, 'aven't we always? Ya great, big, rath."

Hatter patted her on the head. "Thank you, Mally." He nodded at the March Hare. "And thank you, Thackery." The Hare nodded back seriously.

Mallymkun stepped back from Hatter's hand. "Now, what changes were you jus' talkin' bout?" She yanked her pin out of the pastry and sheathed it back into its case. The Dormouse was back to business.

Hatter folded his hands in his lap and began to whisper conspiringly. "Well, word from afar says that Stayne is rebuilding power. This has been confirmed."

Mallymkun stifled her gasp. Then, her nostrils flared angrily. "We attack! We'll gimble 'im 'till 'e is no more!" Once more, she unsheathed her blade and began to whisk it around.

Hatter nodded. "That's what's being discussed. It seems our momentary peace has ended. However, the Queen is-"

"JubJub Bird!" the March Hare hollered.

Hatter leaned back with wide eyes. "Thackery Earwicket! How could you say such a thing about Her Majesty? After all she has-"

"No, 'Atter!" Mally yelled, grasping her pin tighter. Her eyes were locked on something behind him. "Klotchyn! Zounder!"

Hatter spun around and quickly scanned the horizon with narrow slits for eyes. Up ahead, four JubJub Birds were pounding through the air. They were emerging quickly.

Hatter turned back to the table. The March Hare was clutching a spoon that was hinting at breaking in half. Mally looked ready for a fight. Hatter felt that fire, too, but his small fragment of logic told him that four were too many as of the moment.

He grasped Thackery by the neck and threw him under the table with only a yelp from the Hare. Hatter ignored Mally's cry of "No, you don't!" and stuffed her in his pocket, buttoning it shut. Then he, too, slid down underneath the table onto his stomach, making sure the cloth covered both he and the Hare. He turned his body so that he could watch the shivering animal cowering in front of him.

There was a still moment's silence. Hatter and the March Hare stared at each other, waiting. Even the thrashing and squirming in Hatter's pocket had stilled.

A sudden thud from above caused the pair to jump. Hatter smacked his head on the table leg and winced at the sound. He hoped it'd gone unnoticed. Generally, JubJub Birds only registered high whistles.

They all heard the padding of quick steps above their heads. At least two Birds had taken to the table. A loud crash was heard as a teacup was crushed. The March Hare's paws turned to fists as he attempted to regain control of his anger. Hatter brought a single finger to his lips, ensuring silence from Thackery. He nodded back, eyes shut tightly.

They heard the whoosh of great wings being opened before flapping away. One more moment's silence before the March Hare opened his eyes to see Hatter sigh with relief.

And then something was dragging Hatter out from underneath the table by his ankles.

"No!" Hatter bellowed. He dug his nails into the grass, but that only pulled up clumps of dirt. He tried to grasp onto the legs of the table once he was fully out into the open, but then he was only pulling the table along with him, exposing the Hare in fetal position. He let go.

He felt his legs swing up into the air. Hatter was now left suspended and upside down. He grunted and tried to curl up to see the JubJub Bird that had him by the ankles, but failed to do so. With a clunk, he heard his sword fall from its sheath and onto the ground. He cursed the Bird with all his might.

Finally, Hatter got a good look at the beast. It was foul. His wings were strong and his beak long, frighteningly sharp. Against the dark and cloudy sky, this Bird was too powerful. Hatter's head fell back, trapped.

The JubJub Bird was ascending higher off the ground still when Hatter felt the snap. He could only watch as Mallymkun's pin revealed itself, slicing the pocket of Hatter's overcoat open. Mallymkun swung from the thread of the button and dashed up Hatter's body.

"Go, Mally," he whispered, knowing she could not hear.

The Dormouse would always, when opportunity arose, use her signature move. The Bandersnatch had not been the first victim to Mally's sword. The JubJub Bird practically screeched as its eye was pulled from its socket. It dropped Hatter like a rag doll.

With a small 'oomph' Hatter fell to the grass, still watching Mally's battle in the thundering sky. She slashed the Bird once more on its cheek and then on its belly when she slid off. It cawed monstrously once more before attempting to take flight. It had lost its height during the battle and nearly collapsed on all the dishes on the table. It used a chair for leverage before launching back into the sky.

Sixty seconds later, it was out of sight.

Hatter had caught Mallymkun in his hands easily when she fell. Now, he gazed down warmly and proud at her. She did a quick bow with her blade before sheathing it.

Only now climbing out of his fetal position, Thackery yelped from the ground. "Sheesh! Yer right, Hatter! I'm not feelin' tae peaceful!"

. . . . .

Insanity: I would have taken advantage of Hatter's situation and rode that thing through the CLOUDS!

Rachel: Yes, by the ankles, I'm sure that would have worked.

Now, if you enjoyed that, please let me know in a Review! You don't need an account, and it's such an effortless thing to do that will still bring me such joy. It's greatly appreciated.